It’s a celebrated part of Omega lore that the brand’s Speedmaster Professional Chronograph was the first watch to make a lunar landing. But the universal love for vintage Omega watches isn't confined to astronomers, and there’s more to the company’s heritage than the story of the Moonwatch.
The house’s origins date to 1848, when Swiss watchmaker Louis Brandt first set up shop. His sons Louis-Paul and César took over after his death, and in 1894, the pair developed an intriguing new movement.
Not only was it highly accurate, but every part was replaceable, making it easy for any professional to service. The Brandts called their movement the Omega, and as its popularity spread, they changed their company’s name to that of its flagship product.
In 1917, the British Royal Flying Corps designated Omega as an official supplier, and during World War II it became the principal watch supplier for the British forces and their allies. These commissions further strengthened Omega’s commitment to ensuring its products’ reliability under extreme conditions. In 1948, it launched the versatile Seamaster. Developed as a dive watch, the Seamaster proved its durability at high altitudes and freezing temperatures, as well. (Here is the 1stDibs guide to spotting a fake Omega Seamaster.)
Thanks in part to its rugged reputation and Omega’s links to the British military, it became James Bond’s watch of choice in 1995, appearing in GoldenEye and every succeeding Bond movie; it returned in 2021’s No Time to Die. Nevertheless, the most famous Omega by far is the Speedmaster, introduced in 1957. The first chronograph to display its tachymeter scale on the bezel instead of the dial for easier readability, it was quickly adopted by engineers and scientists.
Worn by Buzz Aldrin during the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar mission, it’s the only watch certified by NASA for extravehicular activity (space walks) — and, as far as we know, the only one approved by the Russian space agency, too.
Watch aficionados and aficionadas alike can find vintage Omega watches today on 1stDibs.
Omega De Ville quartz reference 1960312, 32mm Stainless Steel, c1990
By Omega
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage Omega De Ville quartz reference 1960312 features a 32mm stainless steel case with leather strap and Omega tang buckle. The di...
Omega 1950s Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch, Silver Dial, 35mm
By Omega
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Ref. 2317. Made in 1950’s Case th...
Stainless Steel, Silver, Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch, Circa 1950, 35mm Dial
By Omega
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Ref. 2271. Made in 1950’s Case thr...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Vintage 1970s Omega De Ville Grima Sterling Silver Grey Roman Dial Manual 22mm
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
A Piece Of Wearable Sculpture In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Omega collaborated with the visionary London jeweler Andrew Grima to create some of the most avant-garde watches eve...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Omega Geneve 70s Automatic Silver Dial Day Date 37mm Case
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Omega Geneve automatic with silver dial and day/date function from the 1970s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. Measurements include a 37mm case with an inte...
Stainless Steel
Omega Vintage Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wrist Watch
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Omega Wrist Watch, 35 MM Stainless Steel 3 piece Water Proof case, 17 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind movement, Excellent, mint condition, Silver Satin dial with raised and Gold Foil impressed markers. New Black Lizard Grain Leather strap, watch length 8 3/4 inches. A very clean, seldom worn watch, triple Omega signed...
Stainless Steel
$1,802
H 1.38 in W 1.38 in Dm 1.38 in
Omega Genève – Ref. 1360.104 – 35mm – Silver Dial – Cal. 1030 – Manual Wind
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Genève – Ref. 1360.104 – 35mm – Silver Dial – Cal. 1030 – Manual Wind – Full Set – 1979 Let’s be clear — this is not the cheapest Omega Genève from the 70s or 80s. But there a...
Sterling Silver Omega De Ville Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
STERLING SILVER OMEGA DE VILLE MECHANICAL WRIST WATCH COLLECTORS PIECE IN NEW CONDITION ! MOVEMENT: Mechanical Manual Winding FUNCTIONS: hours, minutes CASE: silver, diameter 36 ...
Sterling Silver
Omega Turler Watch in Steel, 1960s
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Omega manual wind silver textured Turler dial from the 1960s. Measurements include a 34mm case and 18mm lug width. It's on aftermarket grey leather strap (Made in It...
Steel
Vintage Omega De Ville Gold and Silver Tone Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Portland, England
An elegant and classic Omega De Ville from the late 1980s with an original and stunning two-tone gold and silver bracelet and accompanying gold watch face. With its timeless and icon...
Gold, Silver
Vintage Omega De Ville Gold Plated Watch, Champagne Dial, 1980s
By Omega
Located in Zurich, CH
A Pure Masterclass in Mid-Century Aristocratic Minimalism and Swiss Dress Sophistication. This vintage Omega De Ville represents the timeless epitome of the quintessential gentleman’...
Gold
Vintage Omega Seamaster Cosmic Steel Crosshair Dial with Blue Hands - Circa 1969
By Omega
Located in Zurich, CH
A Mid-Century Space-Age Icon with Rare Dial Accents. This exceptional vintage Omega Seamaster Cosmic captures the bold, experimental spirit of late 1960s horological design. Housed ...
Steel
Omega Seamaster Professional 300M 36mm Blue Wave Dial Midsize Watch
By Omega
Located in Zurich, CH
A Legend of Modern Dive Watch History. The Omega Seamaster Professional 300M stands as one of the most recognizable and universally admired luxury sports watches of the modern era. ...
Stainless Steel
Cartier Panthère Stainless Steel Watch with Custom Diamond Bezel, New
By Cartier
Located in Zurich, CH
An iconic classic re-imagined with sophisticated brilliance, this Cartier Panthère features a sleek stainless steel square case framed by a custom aftermarket diamond-set bezel. Reco...
Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
Rolex Air-King Stainless Steel Deep Blue Dial with Gold Hour Markers
By Rolex
Located in Zurich, CH
A Striking, Rare Configuration of a Mid-Century Minimalist Icon. The Rolex Air-King stands as one of the longest-running and most enduring collections in the crown's storied history...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Vintage Zenith El Primero A386 Chronograph Watch, 38mm Steel, 1969
By Zenith
Located in Zurich, CH
An Indisputable Monument of Horological History, Radiating Magnificent Vintage Character. This vintage Zenith El Primero Reference A386 is a masterclass in mid-century industrial de...
Stainless Steel
